Organizational Structure and Employee Productivity of Plastic Manufacturing Firms in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This work examined the effect of organizational structure on employee productivity of plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the effect of nature of formalization on employee effectiveness; investigated the effect of hierarchical layer on employee efficacy; determined the extent to which departmentalization affect production timelines; of plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State. Relevant theoretical and empirical literature were examined. This study was anchored on Contingency Theory. Survey design was adopted. The study was carried out in Anambra State, Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of 1648 employees of plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State. The statistical formula devised by Borg and Gall was employed to determine the sample size of 321.The instrument used for the study was questionnaire. Face and content validity was adopted while, test re-test and Cronbach Alpha method was carried out to achieve reliability of instruments. Simple percentage analysis was employed to answer the research questions. Linear regression analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses. The result showed that nature of formalization had a significance effect on employee effectiveness in plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. (with t = 56.187 with p= .000). Hierarchical layer had a significant effect on employee efficacy in plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. (t = 17.220, p = .000). Departmentalization had a significant effect on production timelines in plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. (t = 18.561, p = .000). The study concluded that organizational structure had a positive significant effect on employee productivity. The study recommended that management of plastic manufacturing should make it a part of its standard policy to ensure all employee opinions, suggestions, view are subjected to their merit and accepted where applicable after Nature of formalization. Management and employee of plastic manufacturing should explore options together; and Hierarchical layer should reconsider their strategies for engagement in order to enhance their relationship. Employee should be delegated to make contribution in policy development as they play a major role in policy implementation and this among others will increase organizational productivity through departmentalization. The study contributed to knowledge by expanding modifying the structure of a model of organizational structure and employee productivity. Based on the analysis and the relationship between variable identified the research model.